Light holder for christmas trees



Nov. 26, 1929. H. J. MILLER LIGHT HOLDEii FOR CHRISTMAS TREES Filed ooi. 5. 1927 INVENTOR" fill/7M1 Mil/6K BY A TORNEYI Patented Nov. 26, 1929 PATENE series HILMAR J. MILLER, or sit. LOUIS, MISSOURI LIGHT HOLDER FOR CHRISTMAS TREES Application filed October 5, 1927. Serial No. 224,073.

My invention relates to light holders for Christmas trees in which two pairs of jaw members operate in conjunction with a spring member; and, the objects of my invention are,

5 first, to provide one pair of 'jaws at one end of the holder for clamping the device to the branch of a Christmas tree in any desired position; second, to provide a second pair of jaws at the opposite end of the holder for holding a light, and, more particularly an electric light by the socket thereof, although not necessarily limited thereto, as candles can be held thereby, if so desired; and, third, to

afiord facilities for holding the light in any one of three positions with relation to the longitudinal axis of the holder.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a light holder for Christmas trees, which possesses advantages in points of simplicity and efiiciency, and at the same time proves itself comparatively inexpensive in cost of manufacture. 7

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and finally pointed out in the claim hereto appended.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forminga part of this specification, wherein like characters of reference denote similar parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1, is a view of the light holder shown as applied to the branch of a Christmas tree and supporting an electric light. The light is shown in full lines in one position and in dotted lines in two other positions.

Fig. 2, is a side elevation of the holder embodying the features of my invention with portions thereof broken away.

Fig. 3, is an inside plan View of the double jaw member.

Fig. 4c, is a side elevation of the hinged jaw member which assists in holding the lamp socket, or light, in position.

The device embodying the invention is made of metal stampings and comprises two clamp members designated A and B. These members A and B are atv their tree branch gripping ends 1 and 2, respectively, of counterpart shell shape construction to form jaws to grip the branch 3 of a Christmas tree. The members A and B are provided attheir side marginal edges with ears 4 and 5, respectively, which are so arranged that the ears 4 of member A will engage between the ears 5 of member B. A pin 6 passes through the overlapping portions of the ears 4 and 5 serving to pivotally connect the members A and B.

The opposite end of member A is formed to provide a stationary jaw 7, which has its marginal edge flanged outwardly as at 8, and scalloped to both strengthen the jaw and to render it ornamental as well.

Associated with the stationary jaw '7 of member A is a movable jaw C, which jaw has a lower extension 9 terminating in a hinge lip'lO that passes through an opening 11 in member A and folded over, as at 12 to provide a hinge joint connection for the jaw C with the member A to permit movement of jaw C with relaton to jaw 7. The inner faces of the jaws 7 and C have longitudinally curved portions 13 and 13, respectively,'and theyfurtherhave transversely curved portions 14.- and' 14: respectively, all of which curved portions serve to provide gripping faces for holdin'g an electric light socket 15 therebetween against displacement, or a candle, if desired. Jaw C has a scalloped flanged edge 8.

A suitable wire spring 16'is coiled about the 'pin 6 and is provided with finger portions 17 and 18 which extendupwardly in diverging relation and bear against the outer face of membersC, the inner face ofa finger extension 19 of member B and exert pressure in outward directions at points above the pivot pin 6', thus yieldingly holding the lower or ends of the branch gripping jaws 1 and 2 of the members A and B in engagement with the branch 3 of a Christmas tree and the jaws 7 and C in engagement with an electric light socket, or other lighting means. 7

In order that there may be sufiicient roughened surface provided at the contacting portions of the branch gripping jaws 1 and 2 1 without however incurring any liability of series injury to the tree limbs engaged by the jaws 1 and 2, the marginal edges of the jaws 1 and 2 are scalloped and the outer faces of the body portion of the jaws are shaped to give a shell effect to the jaws, thus providing ornamental as well as strengthened branch gripping aws, as is manifest.

It is evident that the holder may be held upon the limb of a tree at various angles thereto without slipping thereon, that it may be applied to the limb by pressing the upper end 19 of member B toward member 1 to relatively separate the gripping or contacting endsof the shell shaped jaws 1 and 2. When pressure upon the upper end 19 of member B isreleased, the spring 16 will antomatically-closethe jaws 1 and 2 to firml contaet or-grip the limb. of the tree to which thedeviceis-j applied and to hold it against displacement thereon,

It will be apparent from Fig. 1, that the lightsocket may be held between the j aws'7 and C in any one of three positions as shown in full lines designated .D, and in dotted lines E and F.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that I provide a light holder, which is highly eflijcient for the purpose, intended and which has two stationary jaws and two movable jaws with the movable jawsoperable independent of each other and both held in their closed position by means of a single spr1ng.

-The many-advantages of the herein described invention will readily suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art. to which it ap ertains.

tom the foregoing description, it, is evident that a simple device for this purposehas been disclosed, but it is to be understood that I'do not desire to restrict, or limit myself to the verydetails of the construction shown and described, which is merly illustrative, it being obvious that changes, notinvolving the exercise of invention, may be made without conflicting or departing from the spirit of the invention within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A light holder for Christmas trees com- 7 posed. of one long plate and arelatively short plate pivoted to each. other, the lower end of said longs plate and the relatively short plate adapted to grip atree branch for supporting the holder, a concaved recess formed upon the inner face of the upper end of said long 

